A closer look at Nordfjord
Nordfjord is situated between the largest mainland glacier in Europe and Norway's wildest coast at the western cape, with spectacular mountains and valleys, rolling farmland, and a dramatic coastline. Loen is a fjord-side village located in the inner part of the Nordfjord region and a very popular destination for Norwegians and tourists alike.
Loen has been attracting tourists for more than a century with the first visitors catered to by local farmers who offered horse-drawn wagon tours around the fjord and glacier. Although this sounds particularly charming, investment in the area has developed somewhat with a new Skylift to the top of Mt. Hoven.
Opened by Her Majesty the Queen in May 2017, the cable car can deliver you safely 1011masl in little over 5 minutes where you will arrive at the Mountain Station and Hoven Restaurant. At full capacity, the cable car can transport 350 people per hour and is now the most common way for visitors to see the surrounding vistas.
Hoven restaurant on top offers delicious meals both from the grill and a-la-carte menu. With an incredible 210 degree panoramic view overlooking Mt. Skåla, Lake Lovatnet, Jostedalsbreen Glacier, and the Nordfjord you will be hard pushed to find a restaurant with better views.
Those of you who like more of a challenge to earn your views might enjoy climbing the mountain by a Via Ferrata route. Via Ferrata is an Italian term used to describe a succession of steel ladders, bridges, and wires leading you up vertical cliff faces. Translated literally it means “iron road”. Those brave enough will traverse the longest Via Ferrata bridge in Europe, Gjølmunne at 120m. The trip usually takes 5-6 hours, luckily, you can enjoy the convenience of the Skylift on your way back down.
Mt. Skåla offers a grueling yet rewarding hike if climbing does not tick any boxes for you. The imposingly beautiful mountain towers 1848m over the village of Loen. Here’s a fun fact: in 1891 a stone tower was painstakingly built with three-tier bunk beds sleeping 22. The brainchild of Dr Hans Henrik Gerhard Kloumann was built to inspire recreation for body and soul.
The Skålatårnet tower is a self-service cabin run by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) and it is, without doubt, one of Norway’s – and perhaps the world’s – most unique tourist cabins. This hike has always been popular, and a surge in visits prompted the installation of the 19-bed spaced Skålabu tourist cabin in 2017.
Mt Skåla is also home to one of Europe's toughest uphill races, the La Sportiva Skaala Uphill. From 29m up to 1848m above sea level over 8,2 km the race has both competition class with individual timekeeping, and also a “fun run” class without timekeeping.
The wild and wonderful Lodalen valley is simply stunning and not to be missed. A great option for exploring this area is a boat trip on the MS Kjenndal II along the emerald green glacial lake, Lake Lovatnet. The beautiful green color intensifies on days where the sun shines but the main reason behind the color is due to clay and magnesium particles discharged from the melting Jostedalsbreen glacier. Take the boat from Sande for a fantastic day out.
The famous Norwegian fjords
Norway has an incredible number of fjords. Get to know some of our favorite fjords here!
The Nærøyfjord
Surrounded by towering mountains up to 1,700 metres high, this arm of the Sognefjord is amazingly beautiful.
The Geirangerfjord
The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway's most visited tourist sites and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the Nærøyfjord, since 2005.
The Hardangerfjord
If the Sognefjord is the King of the fjords of Western Norway, the Hardangerfjord is the Queen.
The Sognefjord
Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, is located in the heart of Norwegian fjord country and extends more than 200 km (120 miles) inland.
The Aurlandsfjord
Together with the Nærøyfjord, the Aurlandsfjord is one of the most picturesque fjords in the world.
The Lysefjord
The Lysefjord is the southernmost of the biggest fjords in Norway. The 40-kilometre-long fjord is flanked by steep mountains, some more than 1,000 meters.
The Trollfjord
Trollfjorden is located on the southernmost part of Vesterålen, just north of Svolvær. It's only three kilometers long, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in a dramatic fashion!
The Romsdalsfjord
The Romsdalsfjord is the ninth-longest fjord in Norway with its 94 km. The fjord is surrounded by the majestic Romsdalsalpene mountains and the fjord area is perfect for day excursions.
The Nærøyfjord
Surrounded by towering mountains up to 1,700 metres high, this arm of the Sognefjord is amazingly beautiful.
The Geirangerfjord
The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway's most visited tourist sites and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the Nærøyfjord, since 2005.
The Hardangerfjord
If the Sognefjord is the King of the fjords of Western Norway, the Hardangerfjord is the Queen.
The Sognefjord
Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, is located in the heart of Norwegian fjord country and extends more than 200 km (120 miles) inland.
The Aurlandsfjord
Together with the Nærøyfjord, the Aurlandsfjord is one of the most picturesque fjords in the world.
The Lysefjord
The Lysefjord is the southernmost of the biggest fjords in Norway. The 40-kilometre-long fjord is flanked by steep mountains, some more than 1,000 meters.
The Trollfjord
Trollfjorden is located on the southernmost part of Vesterålen, just north of Svolvær. It's only three kilometers long, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in a dramatic fashion!
The Romsdalsfjord
The Romsdalsfjord is the ninth-longest fjord in Norway with its 94 km. The fjord is surrounded by the majestic Romsdalsalpene mountains and the fjord area is perfect for day excursions.